Mass demonstration in Berlin against the prohibition of bathing in the Spree River
The century-old swimming ban in Berlin's Spree River, imposed in 1925 due to severe pollution, is facing renewed scrutiny as activists push for its lifting. The group Fluss Bad Berlin (River Pool Berlin) has been at the forefront of this movement, citing significant improvements in water quality.
Recent protests and demonstrations, such as the "Mitschwimm Demo," organised by Flussbad Berlin, have highlighted these improvements and advocated for reopening parts of the river to swimmers. The demonstrations have even seen activists swimming in the river, a bold move aimed at having a permanent area open for swimming.
The group has proposed establishing a 1.8-kilometer boat-free stretch near Museum Island, inspired by Paris's Seine River reopening. This proposal has garnered attention from city officials, who are considering reopening parts of the river to swimming as early as 2026.
However, the Senate Department for Transport and Environment remains skeptical about the idea of a Spree river bath, citing the Spree and Spree Canal as federal waterways and questioning water quality. Despite this, several high-profile figures, including Mathias Schulz, an SPD member of the state parliament, have expressed support for the idea.
Schulz stated that a Spree river bath would be a symbol of the ability to unite nature and the city. Stefanie Remlinger, the Green district mayor of Berlin-Mitte, echoed this sentiment, stating, "I want to see you swimming!"
The protests have garnered significant support, with hundreds of people attending the Mitschwimm Demo on a beautiful summer day, according to Flussbad Berlin. However, the police reported incidents of people attempting to enter the Spree in areas other than the designated protest site. They urged caution due to the strong current and reminded people to swim only in designated areas.
Despite the recent protests, the Mitschwimm Demo did not result in any changes to the ban on swimming in the Spree, as the Senate Department for Transport and Environment's assessment has not changed. However, the movement shows no signs of slowing down, with Flussbad Berlin having pushed for the resumption of swimming in the Spree for over a decade.
Kerstin Wolter, chairwoman of the Left party in Berlin, criticized the lack of capacity in the city's public swimming pools, adding weight to the arguments of those advocating for a Spree river bath. Silke Gebel, a Green party member from Mitte, also called for the ban on swimming in the Spree to be lifted.
The movement to lift the century-old swimming ban in Berlin's Spree River continues to gain momentum, with activists, city officials, and members of the public all voicing their support. The future of swimming in the Spree remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the call for change is growing louder.
[1] [2] [3] - References to improvements in water quality.
- The demonstrations organized by Flussbad Berlin, such as the "Mitschwimm Demo," have emphasized the significant improvements in the Spree River's water quality, advocating for reopening parts of the river for swimming.
- The movement to lift the century-old swimming ban in Berlin's Spree River has been strengthened by the group Flussbad Berlin's assertions of remarkable enhancements in the river's water quality, a key factor in their campaign for a revitalized outdoor living and home-and-garden lifestyle concept along the Spree River banks.
